DHS Science and Technology Reform and Improvement Act of 2015
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to declare that the Directorate of Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall be the primary research, development, testing, and evaluation arm of DHS, responsible for coordinating such activities to strengthen the security and resiliency of the United States. The Directorate shall be headed by the DHS Undersecretary for Science and Technology, who shall: (1) serve as the DHS senior scientific advisor, and (2) identify and develop countermeasures to terrorist threats that may serve as the basis for a national strategy.
The Directorate shall: (1) develop and deliver knowledge, analyses, and innovative solutions that are responsive to homeland security capability gaps and threats; (2) seek innovative, system-based solutions to complex homeland security problems and threats; and (3) build partnerships and leverage technology solutions developed by other governmental entities, universities, and the private sector.
The bill expands to duties of the Directorate to include:
DHS must review and revise departmental policies on personnel conflicts of interest to ensure that such policies specifcally address employees of federally-funded research and development centers who are in a position to make or materially influence research findings or agency decision-making.
The criteria for designating colleges or universities as a center for homeland security is modified to require expertise in nuclear explosives countermeasures or detection.
The bill establishes in the Directorate a Test, Evaluation, and Standards Division to serve as an adviser to the DHS Secretary and the DHS Under Secretary of Management on all test and evaluation or standards activities in DHS.
The Directorate shall:
The bill extends through FY2020 DHS authority for certain research and development projects.
The bill revises the definition of "incident" used with respect to the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center.
The Government Accountability Office shall initiate a study to assess the university-based centers for homeland security program and provide recommendations to the congressional homeland security committees for appropriate improvements.
The Directorate shall utilize, as appropriate, prize authority granted pursuant to current law.
No new funds are authorized to carry out this Act.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 114-372.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 114-372.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 284.
Mr. Ratcliffe moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9248-9255)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3578.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
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Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9262-9263)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 0 (Roll no. 687).(text: CR H9248-9253)
Roll Call #687 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 - 0 (Roll no. 687). (text: CR H9248-9253)
Roll Call #687 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.